You probably don't remember much about the Jaguar S-Type R. It was Jag's answer to the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E55/63 AMG. It was fast and surprisingly nimble, but few took it seriously because, well, it didn't really look all that serious. It wasn't quite fast enough either.
This time around Jaguar has a much better chance of converting some BMW buyers into believers. Engineering Editor Jay Kavanagh is already convniced as he calls this new XF "one of the best sport sedans in the world today." A new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 is a big reason why, but there's more to it than just raw power. See what made Mr. Kavanagh such a fan in our latest full test of Jaguar latest XF.
Full Test: 2010 Jaguar XFR
desmolicious says:
01:11 PM, 07/ 1/09
I dunno. It's kinda embarrassing that on the same page the Civic Si pulls MUCH better slalom and skid pad numbers than this Jag...
bankerdanny says:
01:24 PM, 07/ 1/09
"They dissipate heat like a Taj Mahal-spec space heater"
OK guys, time to work on your similes. A "Taj Mahal-spec space heater" would create heat and while the brakes do indeed get hot, their effectiveness is based on the ability to dissapate heat.
So I think what you're looking for is a Taj Mahal-spec heat exchanger, not space heater.
Cheers
fuhteng says:
01:24 PM, 07/ 1/09
It is not. The Si is a toy for kids. The Jag is a very serious car for their Dad. It also weighs a whole lot more.
hondacura4 says:
03:13 PM, 07/ 1/09
The Jag offers some serious performance specs but it seems like another automatic high powered V8 super sedan that's a bit on the boring side. It may be faster than an M5 but the sound of the M5's V10 alone gets me hyped up.
estreka says:
03:49 PM, 07/ 1/09
I'm not gonna say $80K is unreasonable, but these days it's certainly beyond reach of Middle Class America.
I dunno. I guess I don't see Jaguar as the exclusive luxury brand it once was. I certainly don't see people comparing them to Aston Martin anymore.
hondacura4 says:
04:15 PM, 07/ 1/09
"I dunno. I guess I don't see Jaguar as the exclusive luxury brand it once was. I certainly don't see people comparing them to Aston Martin anymore."
Very true. I'm wondering if Jaguar will ever be able to get back its exclusiveness while evolving the brand?
desmolicious says:
07:01 PM, 07/ 1/09
When I was a kid growing up in England, Jaguar/Daimler was seen as one step down from Rolls Royce. A 'thinking man's' Roller if you will.
That image was totally ruined by the Jaguar Mondeo, and it is going to be really hard for them to recapture that sort of prestige.
And I stand by my statement. It is embarrassing that a stock Civic can out handle this car. I don't care if it's heavier. You don't see that bothering it's competitors...
ucla95 says:
07:23 PM, 07/ 2/09
I drove an XFR for a half hour and the steering stunk - way too light, might as well have been driving a Lincoln.
Plus the reflections off the silver pieces were downright dangerous. Finally the interior room was more 3-series sized than 5-series. I couldn't sit in the back seat and I'm fine in a 5-series.
jederino says:
07:21 PM, 07/ 7/09
This design is handsome, but it does not mesmorize me like the XK does. I would stretch and beg my wife to get the XK just because it looks better than almost anything else.
free_thinker says:
10:04 AM, 07/15/09
@ ucla95:
The reason the steering felt light is because it is speed-sensitive. During high speed driving, like when I tested it (you should have seen the look on the sales person!), the steering is excellent. Not quite as crisp as the BMW M5, but not as harsh and choppy either. That's what you really want in a daily driver.
As for the reflection--that's what decent polarized sunglasses are for.
Clearly, you did not want to like the car to begin with.
With NO gas guzzler tax, 510HP, and JD Power rating Jaguar #1 in Reliability, I'd say it's a steal!!!